Portable house



C. M. STAFFORD.

PORTABLE HOUSE.

APPuArlQN man ocI. 12, 19m.

1,350,478. PatentedAug. 24,1920.

C. msAFFoRD,

PORTABLE HOUSE.. APPLICATION FILED. OCT. 12, I9l8.

1,3505478. .Patented Allg. 2Q, wg@

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

C. M. STAFFORD.

PORTABLE HOUSE.

C. M. STAFFORD.

PORTABLE HOUSE.

APPLICATION HLED om. 1.2. 1.91.8.

Patented Aug. 24, 1920..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

5)//7//54 Trae/mcy; @mM-wmf a .9K @0M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES M. STAFFORD, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. I

PORTABLE HOUSE.

To aU wlw-m t may Concern a citizen of `the United States, residing at.

Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Houses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to wooden buildings, and has for its especial object to provide a knock-down portable structure of low first cost and capable of large salvage, in good lumber, when the building is no longer needed.

rllhe invention is directed to features which make the erection of Such buildings possible, without the use of carpenters or other expert workmen; which permit the use of lumber to be cut to form any length at the mill, where such work may be done at a minimum cost; which enable the buildingsl to be very rapidly erected, without waste of lumber and, preferably, without the use Vof nails, at least to any considerable extent; which permit a building once erected, to be quickly taken down, packed into a minimum of space and shipped at a minimum of cost, without destroying or wasting any of the material. It, of course, follows that buildings thus constructed may be re'e'rected quickly and at a minimum expense and without skilled labor. It also follows, from the peculiarities of the structure, that, if the building is no longer needed, practically all of thelumber employed may be salvaged in its original condition adapted for resale and reusage, wherever desired.

The novel features of construction'hereinafter described will be found of advantage in the erection of numerous different types of buildings, a few of which may be enumerated as follows: buildings for war uses, such as barracks, warehouses, and the like, at cantonments, or armyvheadquarters; barns or implement houses for farm use; garages; summer cottages; or even residences.

ln thc accompanying drawings, l have illustrated my invention as incorporated in a building suitable for use as a barracks.

Referring to the drawings, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

' Specification of Letters Patent.V Patented fxug, 24, 192() Application filed October 12, 1918.

Serial No. 257,872.-

Figure 1 is a'skeleton in perspective showing the building partly erected, some parts being sectioned and some parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a transverse,... vertical section through the top and upper wall structure of the building;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective in seotion approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective taken approximately on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspectiveA on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5a and 5b are views corresponding to Fig. 5, but illustrating slightly modied arrangements;

Fig. 6 is a perspective showing one of the preferred wall panels;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view with some -parts broken away showing one of the roof panels;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a number of thewall or roof panels knocked down and packed for shipment;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing one of the floor panels;

Fig. 9a is a fragmentary perspective showing the manner in which the floor panels may be packed together without waste space.

The side sills are of such structure as to be stepped and, as shown, are composed of furring strips 15 and a main sill plate 16 of greater height, which is of such shape at its upper end as to serve as a water table. The joists 10 rest with their ends on the step of the sill afforded by the face of the furring strip 15, in the structure shown, and the studding 11 also rest with their lower ends on the said step of the sill, with one of their side faces abutting the adjacent side face of the sill, and with their outer faces abutting the inner face of the water table, or that part of the main sill 16, which extends above the furring strip 15, in the sill structure shown. Two sets of nut-equipped bolts marked respectively 14 and 17 extend through the lower end portion of each of the studdings` 11, at right angles to each other, and one set of these bolts extends through the abutting joist 10 and the other set thereof extends through the water table portion or that part of the main sill 16 above the furring strip 15. The holes for these bolts 17- are formed inthesaid oist 10,

said studding 11 and said main sill 16, at thev rproperly alined. Hence, it further follows that, when said members 10, 11 and 16 are sosconnected Vby said two sets of bolts 17, they will be rigidly united in proper workingA position. c l

I t is, of course,1obvious that, for convenience of erection, the j'oists 10 and studding l-lxmay be properly disposed, in respect to eachother, and bolted together, when in a horizontal, or 4substantially horizontal `position, and be then turned up on the faces of .the furring strips 15, or step of the sill,

in. proper position for being boltedto the water table or main section 16 of the stepped sill.. However erected, it is also obvious that when the said parts 10, 11 and 16 are-rigidly bolted together bythe said two sets of bolts 17..v applied as described, the studdingvll are self-sustaining and ready for the applicationofthe roof structure; and when the roof. structureV is in working'position, some of the pairs of rafters 12 are cross-connected by. tie beams 13 bolted thereto, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Y v

'In order to permit 'the usage ofsquare ended rafters 12 andsquare ended studding 11, Ifprovidel a special. form of pitch-joint plate, consisting essentially of two sections marked inthe drawings, respectively, with the numerals 19 and 20, and there shown as coperatin-g with an ordinary fiat cap plate y18 resting on the square upper ends of the studding 11, as best shown in Figs. v2.and 3. The cap plate 18, however, might be dispensedY with'and the pitch-joint plate, made up "ofthe elements 19 and 20, be: made to .coperate directly with the studding 11 and thefr'afters12ffThc said sectiony 19 of the pitch-joint plate is .vertically disposed with itsouter face abutting the studding 11 and is` beveled on its .upper surface to the pitch'. lineao'f the rafter with 'this beveled. Vsurface abuttingthe under surface of the upper section 20 of the pitch-plate, at approximately the middl'epo'rtion thereof, and is rigidly connected thereto-by a nutted bolt'21 passing; through the two plates. The upper section 20 of this pitch-joint plate abuts the under surface'of the rafter 12 and is ofsufficient length .to extendupward and outwardbeyondthe lower or vertical section 19;."1and V.theoutwardly extended. portion isi beveled to a right angle, with the outer face of the lower section 19 and, in the structure shown in the drawinvs,isadapted to rest onV the cap plate 18.v zf'heupward extension of this A section 2O ofthe pitch-joint plate affords a surface, which stands at an obtuse angle to the inner face of the lower or vertical section 19, and through which a long threaded bolt 28 islapplied, which extends through the said section 2O and the rafter v12 and is provided with an inner nut 28a,

which re-acts against the rafter andV serves to rigidly connect the joint rplate made up of said two sections 19 and 2O to the rafter 12. -To the Vertical section 19 of this pitchjoint plate, is applied a similar long threaded bolt 22, whichextends through said section 19 and the studding 11 and is provided with an inner nut 22a, which re-acts against the studding 11, and thereby rigidly connects the said joint plate to the studding, as best-shown in Fig. 2. It is obvious that, when the said bolted together sections 19 and -20 of said pitch-plate are bolted, respectively, to the studding 11 and the rafter 12, as above described, the studding 11 and the rafter 12 will be separably intercon- -the said `two sections 19 and 20, their inner surfaces, standing on obtuse angles to each other as they do, they afford a good cornice, ofpleasingvdesign, at the juncture of-the side walls and the roof. It is also obvious that, when the cap plate 18 is employed, as shown in the drawings, the spaces between the respective studding 11 are closed, at their tops; and, as the sections 19 and 20 of the pitch-joint plates extend the full length ofthe sides ofthe'building and the roof, it further follows that the joint between the roof and the sides is a tight one. Preferably, the cap plate 18 is a little wider than the tops of the studding 11, so as toproject outward beyond the sanie, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, fora purpose which will be presently noted.

Inorder te .permit the usage of rafters 12, which aresquare at their upper ends, and, in order to afford. an extremely strong and tightjoint between the upper ends of the cooperating pairs of rafters fl2', I pro` the drawing. The lower section 23 is rigidly connected to the rafter 12 by long threaded bolts 24;, provided with inner nuts 24a, which re-actagainst the rafter 12. Then thus interconnected together by the nutted bolts 26 and interconnected to the rafter by the bolts 24, this ridge-joint plate, made up of the said sections and 25, constitute an upper end section of the rafter, wherein one side of the upper section alines with the upper end of the lower section 23; and when the Cooperating pairs of rafters, with their respective pitch-joint plates, are brought into proper working position, they will meet and abut at the lower corner l edges of the lower sections 23 of said pitchjoint plates and lea-ve an upwardly and outwardly flaring wedge-shaped space between the cooperating sets of said joint plates.

To fill this space and afford a key to the rafter arch, I provide a wedge-shaped filler block which is shown as composed of two similar triangular sections 29 abutting each other on their vertical faces with their points downward, and which, in Fig. 2 of the drawings, are shown as bolted, respectively, one to each of `the upper sections 25 of the set of ridge-joint plates.

I also preferably connect the lower sections 23 of said cooperating ridge-joint plates by strap hinges 27, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. y

It must be obvious that, with the presence of the special features above noted, a very Ystrong and tight joint is made between the coperatin g pairs of rafters 12, at their meeting points. The ridge-joint plates, made up of the said sections 23 and 25, extend for the full length of the building, and, as these y are bolted together and to the respective rafters, they securely connect together all of the rafters and hold the same spaced apart from each other at their upper ends.

The sections 19 and 20 of the pitch-joint plates also run for the full length of the building and, as they are bolted together and to the studding and the rafters, they serve to interlock the studding properly spaced apart for the full length of the building, and to interlock the rafters, properly spaced apart at their lower ends, for the full length of the building.

Assuming that the pitch-joint plates, made up of the sections 19 and 20, have been bolted together and to the studding 11, it is obvious that the ridge-joint Aplates may be bolted to each other and to the rafter, and the filler sections 29 to the upper sections 25 of the respectiveridge-joint plates, and the hinges 27 be applied to connect the lower sections 23 of said ridge-joint plates, when the rafters 12 are on or near the floor level of the building and then the whole skeleton framework, afforded by said rafters, ridge-joint plates 'tween the j oists.

' and filler blocks, be raised into working poscribed, certain thereof may be cross-connected near the lower ends by cross ties 13 bolted thereto above the pitch-joint plates, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings; and, if additional strength is needed, diagonal braces 42 may be applied to connect the cooperating pair of rafters with the cross tie 13 by being bolted thereto, at their opposite ends and the cooperating pair of rafters 12 may be further cross-connected by a short cross tie Ll-l bolted thereto directly below the ridge-joint plates, and this, in turn, may be connected to the lower or main cross tie 13 by a vertical brace 113 bolted tosaid crossties, all as best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

If the width of the building is considerable, it will -be desirable to supplement the stepped side sills, made up of the rigidly connected parts 15 and 1G, by one or more intermediate sills 30, for upholding the joists 10.

One such sill is shown centrally located between the side sills for supporting the joists 10 in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

So far, attention has been given to the skeleton framework of the building.

The coverings, to wit; the floor, the side walls and the roof, will next be noted, in the order named.

The floor is made up of panels or sections, each composed of a suitable number of jointed floor boards 31 cross-connected by a pair of parallel cleats 32 rigidly secured to the under surfaces of said boards 31 adjacent to the median line of the panel, measured lengthwise of the boards, and spaced apart from each other far enough to straddle and embrace the upper edges of the joists 10, when -the panels are in working position. The floor panels are further so applied to the joists that, when in working position, they will break joints with each other, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In view of the structure of these panels and their said disposition, the cleats 32 of the different panels embracing the different joists 10,.as described, enable the panels, themselves, to cross-lock the joists 10, and thereby do away with the necessity of any other bridging be- This structure also enables the said panels to be usedV on the joists and lmake up a sufficiently tight floor, without nailing the same to the joists, although they may, of course, be nailed or screwed fast thereto, if desired.

Another great advantage of this peculiar panel structure of the flooring is that the panels may be packed together practically the same as solid lumber, as illustrated in Fig. 9, By :reference to said view of the drawing, it will be seen that between any height desired, and the panels yso disposed,v will make up a solid body of lumber with no material waste space. The only space that is lostisthat between the two cleats 32 of each panel, and this yis so small as to be almost negligible. It follows that Vthe floor panels, when so stacked together, can be shipped in practically the same space as ordi- 20"' nary' unconnected liooring boards, lor other plain lumber, and get the benefit of the plain lumber. rates yin the freight classification.

The side walls are also composed of panels, two forms of which are illustrated.

From the standpoint of economy of manufacture, compactness of packing and economy of shipment, I prefer the form of panel shown applied 'in'F ig. l of the drawings, andY one of which is shown' partly detached inF ig. 6, and a series of which detached panels are shown packed together for shipment in Fig. 8 ofsaid drawings. In this preferred form of panel, the siding boards 33, of the proper length to span the spaces between pairs of studding ll and overlap the edges thereof, aref secured together by marginal strips 34:, rigidly united thereto by nails or other suitable means at the place of manufacture. These marginal strips 34V are applied to said jointed boards 33, one on theouter and the other on the opposite inner margin of the connected boards, so as to project therefrom about half lthe width of the strips, and thereby become operative' to lap the vertical joints between successive panels of the side wall, when the panels are inworking position, and when thus applied, nutted bolts 35 interlock the abutting panels to each other and to the studding l1,

A'as bestV shown in Fig. 5, but also indicated in'Fig. 4Gef the drawings. As before stated, the siding boards 33 are of such length that the said boards33, of adjacent panels, do

not quite meet, when the said parts are in` workingposition, thereby leaving a space through which the bolts 35, extending from" the studding ll,`may pass, without requiring any holes for the same in the boards 33.

The holes in the marginal strips 34 for the bolts35 and the holes in the studding l1 for thesepsaidV bolts 35 are bored at the mill, all properly spacedfapart, so that when the elements are assembled, it is only necessary toj apply-the nutted bolts 35, and the siding panels are interlocked to the studding l1 in proper working position. The outer ends of the bolts 22 and nuts 22b are used on the upper ends of the upper panels.

The said peculiar structure of the siding panels, made up of the jointed boards 33 and the marginal-strips 34, applied, one te the outer and the other to the opposite inner surface of the panel boards, permits the said panels, when knocked down, to be packed together practically solid, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. By reference to said Fig. S, it will be seen that several of these siding panels, made up of the boards and marginal strips 34, may be placed, one over the other, with the respective marginal strips 34ofthe successive panels abutting each other at one end of the stack and abutting the ends of the boards 33 at the other end of the stack. This brings the ends of the panels into stepped relationship with each other, with the steps reversed at the opposite ends of the stack; and hence, the stacks may be abutted endwise with the marginal cleats under and overlapping and abutting each other, without loss of space, or practically solid. Then another series of stacks can be abutted longitudinally on the first series, without any loss of space, except project beyond the ends of the board, in po-v sition for the upper and lower marginal strips '37 of adjacent panels to lap with each other, with the under strips restingron the rafters, when the parts are in working position, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. When thus in working position, the said panels are bolted to the rafters l2, the bolts extending Vthrough the rafters and the overlapped marginal strips 37 of the adjacent panels, thereby enabling an extremely tight jointjto be made between the roof panels and the rafters. As shown, in Fig. 2 of the drawings, certain of the bolts, used in the roof framing, are used to connect the upper and lower ends of the roof panels tothe rafters. For example, the bolts 24, which connect the under section 23 ofthe ridge-joint plate to the rafters, have their screw-threaded portions of sutlicient length joint plate to the rafters, have their screwthreaded portions' ofV sufficient length to extend through the overlapping strips37'V of adjacent panelsV andy are provided with outer end nuts 28h, which re-act'against the outer face of the overlapping member of said strips 37.

-Preferably,the roof panels are provided at the mill with an outer covering 38, of fiexible waterproof material, one'marginof which` underlies the outer marginal strip 37 of the panel, as best shown iii-F ig. 7'. The roof panels', therefore, come from the'mill complete and ready to be applied to the rafters, in the manner above described, to complete the covering. and the marginal strips 37 of the'roof panels are related to each other in precisely the' same way asthev boards 33 and:l the marginal strips 34 of the wall panels, shown "in Fig. 6, it' must, of course, be obvious that the rooff panels may be packed together-in Yprecisely the same way as theY wall panels, which, as before stated, is illustrated-iii Fig.

8 of the drawings. M

The roof panels being squareat their upper ends, it follows that when they are applied to the rafters, in proper' working position, the upper ends of the panels of' the opposite sides of the roof-.can only meet on their under edges. thm-1.1mA leaving. t1-1r angular opening: between the two Sfiariiig outward and,upward, andr this is filled by a wedge-shaped top ridge pole 39, set point downward, and which top ridge ,pole 39'has itsY upper surface bevel-shaped to'line with the face surfaces. of the roof panels, as clearly show n in Fig; 2 of the drawings. This top ridge pole 39 having been placed in position, the joints between the panels and the ridge pole 39 are'closed by lapped ridge boards 40'iigidly secured to the'panels Vand to each other inany suitable'way, such as by nails, screws or bolts,thus completing a water tight roof.` f

VThe roof panels" are of such dimensions in length, relative to the length of the rafters 12, that when applied to theraftersin working position, the lower ends. ofv the lower sets of panels willproje/ct downward and-outward', as eaves, beyond the side walls of the building, as shownin FigV 2 of the drawings.l The spaces between the rafters, the roof panels andthe upper member 20 of the respective pitch-joint plates are adapted to be closed by pieces 41 hinged `to the studdingf cap 18 andv adapted to abut the ends of the rafters with their upper surfaces joining the under surface ofthe panelsand the lower surfaces joining said upper section 20 of the joint plate, when in closed positions, but which pieces 41 `can be thrown voutwardly and downward into an'op'en position, as eshownby the dotted-linesin Fig; 2,

As thel boards 36 thereby affording openings'under the eaves,

Ybetween'the rafters for the access or egress wvalls; attention; is called to the fact that the wall panels, made'up of the jointed boards connected by themarginal strips 34,

'arranged as Vhitherto' described, readily lend themselves? not only to the"format-ion of singlewvzills, as hitherto noted,A but to the formation of any desired number of walls with air spaces between each pair of walls. lor'example', in Fig. 5, a double exterior lwall is shown composed of these panels, properly set relative'to'each other and bolte'dto the st-'iidding 11? by the nuttedbolts y35, substantially init-he same' way as the single 'Wallshownin Fig. 5, and wherein the inarginalstri'ps'serve to space apart the boards 'of1 the double set of panels, thereby affording'between the same a still air space,-well known to be one of the best forms of heat insulationi ln'frFg. 5b, there is added to the double exterior wall, shown in FigQ 5a, an interior wall, made up of these same forms of panels, and which, by the lsaine bolts 35, arel connectedto thestudding 1-1- andthe double outer wall-,thereby adording large air spaces between the ypairs of studding 11.` v

In Figs. 5 and 51 of the drawings, the panel boards of the second outer wall are marked by the reference 33a and in Fig. 5b, the panel boards of the inner wall are marked by the reference 33h.

lf still further protection against cold-is desired, the jointed wooden boards of the wall panels may be replaced by slabs of flax felt, insulite, or other board-like forms of high grade insulating material', either in all of the walls or in all thereof, except the outermost external wall. j

Having regard to `,the advantages resultingfrom the peculiarities of structure illustratedin the main views, Figs. 1 to 9, .in-- elusive, and-which peculiarities of structure have hereinbefore been pointed out in detail, the following arefobvious, towitz Y Y 1.V Because of the factthat most of the timbers of the framework are square ended, the

cost of their manufacture vis relatively small as compared with corresponding elements having beveled ends; because it'takes so much reXamp'le,-in thenbest equipped modern mills,

about 48 square ended studding or square endedi'jafters canbeturnedout in thetiine that, it takes to produce a single rafter or a single studdingwithbeveled ends.I 4

2. o skilled labor is needed to erect and -completeva lbuilding of `such structure,

3. Such abuilding can b e readily knocked .downf and all the elements 4thereof be handled or packedv for-shipment, as in their original/forms, practically solidv like ordinary lumber, thereby gettingthe same econoniy of'space Vand freight rates.Y

When building isnolonger needed, the salvage 1 of goodluinber Vis relatively great; This :is dueiii part to the shapeslof thegtimbeifs of the framework and tothe for,- mation= ofthe panels of theiiooring; the

' .sidewalls and-'the ,rooffl but, in` avery large measure, it is due tothe fact thatbolts are generallyeinployed to connect the coperlating timbers of the framework and the panels ofthe sidewallsand'i'ooingtothe said framework. Hence, the side walls and the roof-come off with their panelsintact yand readyffor re-use on any otheijgbuilding, and-thetirnbers come apart intact, and, liliewise ready for re-.use'on any other building, orfrcapable of being employed as original 1lu- ,ber in buildings of widely different structure. A

l. lnation'witha stepped sill, of. a-joist, a stud- .-3.7111 .a'knock-down building,

nation lwithga, stepped sill, composed of a ,fur-ring stripl l and a-watertable section rigidlyzsecuredltogether with said table exten- 1:4- fstrip, of a -joist seated on said furring strip,

The'importance ofsaid advantages, above Y ding having-'one vof its sides abutting said joist and its outer face abuttingthe vertical face of the step of the sill, andtwo sets of nuttedl bolts extending'..through said .studding, at: rightangles to eachother, with one setthereof also extending through said ver- ;-tical-section ofthe step of the sill and the :other set also extending through said joist,

substantially asdescribed.:l 1 the combision` extended upward rabove said furring a-"studding'alsose'ated on said furring strip Awith one of its sidesabuttin'gf said joist and its Y outer face'I abutting: said table, 'and two sets of nutted bolts extending through said stantially as described.

'substantially as described.:-r`

`plateabutting the under surface vfofftlie table section of the sill and the other set also extending through said joist, substantially as andfor the purposes setforth.

4. Ina knock-,down building, the coinbinationV with a square ended rafter and a ysquare ended studding, of a pitch-joint plate made up of an upper Aand a lower section, the lowerY of which is vertical, has its outer face abutting the studding and has its upper surface beveled to join the upper section on the pitchline of the roof and the'upper section of which joint Y plate occupies an inclined position, with itsA upper surface abutting the rafter and which upper section extends botli upwardand outward beyond said vertical section and has its outwardly piojectingv portion beveled to afford a surface at rightv angles to the outer face Yofthe lower section adapted to overlap the studding, and means for; rigidlyfconnecting together said two sections ofl said pitch-joint plate-and for connecting said plate to the studding and to the rafter,"wliereby all of said :parts will be interconnected rigidly togetherl with tight jointsand theinterior faces of the two sections of the joint-plate will stand at obtuse anglesto each other and afford a suitable l'corniee'to thepinterior of the building, sub- 5.l In a knock-down building, the combination with a squarexendedrafter and a square .ended studding, o f a pitch-j oint plate made 11p-of a'n iipper and a lower section, the lower "of which is vertical, has its outer face abutting the studding and has its upper surface beveledto join the upper section on thepitch line of the roof-and the upper-section. of which joint plate occupies an inclined position, with its upper surface abutting therafterand which upper section ex .tends both upward and outward beyond A:said-.vertical section and has'its outwardly projecting portion beveled to afford asur- .-.face at right angles to'the outer faceof the -lower section adapted to overlap the studding,*nutted bolts separably connecting said i two -sections rigidly together, nutt'ed bolts y( zonnecting'-the'lower section to the studding, and' nutted' bolts' connecting lthe upper sec# 1 tion tolthe rafter, whereby said elements are all separably interconnected togetherV with 4tight joints and the interior faces of the two :sectionsof the joint plate will stand at'ob- Vtuse angles toeach otherand'aford a'suitf able cornice to the iii'teriorrof the building,

. 6. Inl la' knock-down building, the combi- -nation withfacooperatingV pair ofl square yendedirafters, of two pairs of cooperating ridgefjointY plates, each composed of a lower l j Y rafter an'd "projecting fupwa'rdf beyond the saine, and an upper plate abutting the end of the lll' rafter and oining the projecting part of the lower plate, and means for rigidly connecting the said plates together and to the rafter.

7. In a knock-down building, the combination with a cooperating pair of square ended rafters, of two pairs of cooperating ridge joint plates, each composed of a lower plate abutting the under surface of the rafter and projecting upward beyond the same, and an upper plate abutting the end of the rafter and joining the projecting part of the lower plate, nutted bolts connecting said two plates together, and nutted bolts connecting the same to the rafter, substantially as described.

8. In a knock-down building, the combination vwith a cooperating pair of square ended rafters, of two pairs of cooperating ridge joint plates, each composed of a lower plate abutting the under surface of the rafter and projecting upward beyond the same, and an upper plate abutting the end of the rafter and joining the projecting part of the lower plate, means for rigidly connecting the said pairs of plates together and to the rafters, and a wedge-shaped filling block affording a key piece to the Gothic arch formed by said cooperating rafters and pairs of ridge joint plates.

9. In a knock-down building, the combi nation with a cooperating pair of square ended rafters, of twopairs of cooperating ridge joint plates, each composed of a lower plate abutting the under surface of the rafter and projecting upward beyond the same, and an upper plate abutting the end of the rafter and oining the projecting part of the lower plate, means for rigidly connecting the said pairs of plates together and to the rafters, and a wedge-shaped filling block composed of two right angled triangular pieces set with their Vertical faces abutting point downward, and aifording a key piece to the Gothic arch formed by said coperating rafters and pairs of ridge joint plates, substantially as described.

10. In a knock-'down building, the combination with a cooperating pair of square ended rafters, of two cooperating ridge joint plates respectively underlying the upper end portions of each of said two rafters, and means for rigidly connecting said joint plates and rafters together, substantially as described.

ll. In a knock-down building, the combination with a cooperating pair of square ended rafters, of two cooperating ridge joint plates respectively underlying the upper end portions of each of said two rafters, means for rigidly connecting said joint plates and rafters together, and a wedge-shaped filling block affording a key piece to the Gothic arch formed by said cooperating rafters and cooperating ridge joint plates, substantially as described.

12. A flooring for knock-down buildings made up of panels, each composed of a series of jointed boards rigidly connected together by a single pair of cleats applied to the under surface of the jointed beards, centrally of the panel, with said pair of cleats spaced apart from each other and adapted to straddle and closely embrace the joist, when in a working position, and which said panels so made are adapted, when removed from the joists, to be packed together for shipment practically like solid lumber, substantially as described.

13. In a knock-down building, the combination with the roof and pitch-joint plate connecting the rafters and the studding, of piyoted pieces between adjacent pairs of rafters adapted to close the space between the roof and the joint plate, when said pivoted pieces are in their closed position, and to afford an open passage between the roof and said .joint plate,for Ventilating purposes, when said pivoted piece is in its open position,'substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES M. STAFFORD.

llitnesses z HARRY D. KiLeoRn, F. D. MERCHANT. f 

